OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 10, 2026 — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has taken note of public discussions surrounding the proposed revisions to Part XV (Traceability) of the Health of Animals Regulations.
These revisions are not yet active and have not been finalized. The CFIA has engaged with industry stakeholders, associations, and government bodies about the proposed changes and plans to continue this outreach. The agency will hold off on publishing the regulations until the proposed adjustments are better understood and stakeholder concerns are listened to and addressed.
The CFIA is dedicated to [missing text] and regulatory reform, and is pushing forward several modernization efforts to assist businesses, while ensuring Canada’s animal health system remains effective, practical, and suitable for its intended purpose. Animal diseases persist, and when they arise, Canada must be able to respond swiftly, precisely, and effectively.
Robust traceability is key to that response. A modern, dependable traceability system enables animals to be tracked through the production chain, supports quicker and more targeted disease responses, and helps minimize impacts on producers, communities, and trade. It also represents an investment in protecting Canadian animal health and addressing disease threats like foot-and-mouth disease. In practice, improved traceability leads to faster resolution of disease outbreaks, greater certainty for businesses, and enhanced confidence in Canada’s livestock system both domestically and internationally.
The proposed revisions aim to fill gaps in the current framework and strengthen Canada’s livestock traceability system. This supports effective disease response, reduces economic disruption, and helps Canadian producers and processors stay competitive at home and abroad, while fostering long-term economic stability for businesses.
Industry has been deeply involved in the development of these proposed revisions over the past decade. The draft regulations were pre-released in [missing year] 2023, followed by a 90-day public comment period. In 2024, the CFIA published a summarizing feedback from producers, industry associations, provinces, and other partners. Since then, the CFIA has continued engaging with stakeholders to ensure the system is workable while upholding strong animal health protections.
Once the revisions are published, the regulations will include transition periods to support implementation: a one-year window for regulated entities before the rules take effect, followed by a phased enforcement approach. The CFIA will provide guidance, education, and support throughout this period.
The CFIA values ongoing dialogue with industry and remains open to feedback. Maintaining a high-quality, credible animal health system is essential to protecting livestock, supporting producers, and enabling trade.
SOURCE: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)